Demand Planner

Position Summary

The Demand Planner is responsible for developing and maintaining accurate demand forecasts to support Midland Industries’ inventory, purchasing, and sales planning processes. This role analyzes historical sales data, market trends, seasonality, and customer demand patterns to create reliable forecasts that optimize inventory levels and ensure product availability across Midland’s distribution network.

The Demand Planner works cross-functionally with Sales, Purchasing, Product Management, and Operations to improve forecast accuracy, reduce excess inventory, and support Midland’s service level goals.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Demand Forecasting

• Utilize Demand planning tool to provide insights and forecasts to the business.
• Develop and maintain monthly demand forecasts at the product, category, and regional levels.
• Analyze historical sales data, trends, seasonality, and promotional impacts to generate accurate forecasts.
• Monitor forecast accuracy and continuously improve forecasting models.

Inventory Optimization

• Partner with purchasing and supply chain teams to align demand forecasts with inventory planning.
• Identify potential shortages, excess inventory, and slow-moving items.
• Lead excess and obsolete inventory initiatives to action it with business leadership support (cost reductions or dispose of it).
• Recommend inventory adjustments to support service level targets and working capital goals.
• Evaluate DC specific turns and reprofile inventory across the North America DC network to best optimize service levels to our customer base.

Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP)

• Participate in the monthly S&OP process by providing demand insights and forecast updates.
• Collaborate with Sales, Product Management, and leadership to incorporate market intelligence into forecasts.
• Lead demand consensus meetings with Sales, and Product Management.
• Present demand outlook and risks to internal stakeholders.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Maintain forecasting systems, dashboards, and reports to track demand trends and forecast accuracy.
• Conduct variance analysis between forecast and actual sales.
• Provide insights on demand drivers, product lifecycle changes, and market trends.
• Manage inventory reporting and forecasting.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Sales and Product teams to understand upcoming promotions, product launches, and customer demand shifts.
• Communicate forecast changes to purchasing and supply chain teams to ensure timely replenishment.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve forecasting tools, processes, and data quality.
• Support system enhancements related to demand planning, inventory planning, and ERP forecasting tools.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Data Analytics, or related field preferred.

Experience

• 3–6 years of experience in demand planning, supply chain analytics, inventory planning, or forecasting.
• Experience in distribution, manufacturing, or industrial products preferred.
• Experience working with ERP systems and forecasting tools.

Skills

• Strong analytical and quantitative skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and data analysis tools.
• Ability to interpret large datasets and translate insights into actionable plans.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills.

Preferred

• Experience with demand planning or forecasting software.
• Experience in industrial distribution or wholesale supply environments.
• Knowledge of inventory management principles and S&OP processes.

Key Performance Metrics

• Forecast accuracy
• DIO & Inventory turns
• Service level / fill rate
• Inventory carrying cost
• Reduction of stockouts and excess inventory

What Success Looks Like

• Improved forecast accuracy and inventory visibility.
• Improved service levels to our customers.
• Better alignment between sales demand and purchasing plans.
• Reduced excess inventory while maintaining strong customer service levels.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by law or regulation. It is our intention that all qualified applicants are given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.